Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Modesto, CA
Relocating between Santa Clarita, CA and Modesto, CA is a 283 mi drive β 5h 22m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
283 mi Β· 5h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.3% cheaper overall in Modesto than Santa Clarita on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 3.02 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.3% β $119,926 β $77,899 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Modesto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,970 | $45,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,080 | $47,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,760 | $34,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,890 | $36,840 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,170 | $65,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Modesto average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Modesto sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Modesto more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 8.3% lower than Santa Clarita (104.108 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Modesto, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 283 mi and the route typically takes 5h 22m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita β a 44.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita β a 35.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 283 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA Β· Modesto, CA.